In June 2006, the Nationwide Foundation made a monumental $50 million commitment to support expansion of Nationwide Children's programs and construction of a new 12-story patient tower that opened in June, 2012. It was one of the largest philanthropic gifts ever from a corporate foundation in the U.S. and also one of the top five largest single gifts ever given to a children’s hospital nationally or internationally. In honor of the Nationwide Foundation gift, the hospital voted to re-name the hospital Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation continue to help us keep our promise that no child ever leave Central Ohio for world-class medical care. Our partnership has grown exponentially to include three key areas:

Clinical and Research Programs

Child Safety and Injury Prevention

Sports Marketing Sponsorships

Clinical and Research Programs

In 2014, the Nationwide Foundation established the Nationwide Pediatric Innovation Fund, with a $10 million grant to Nationwide Children's. This fund supports pediatric research and innovative projects advancing the science and practice of pediatric health care. The Innovation Fund investments are directed long-term to both clinical and research program development and recruitment in areas of greatest priority.

The Nationwide Foundation continued this support in 2015 with an additional $10 million grant to the Nationwide Pediatric Innovation Fund, supporting important work in Injury Research and transforming pediatric care through Genomics.

Child Safety and Injury Prevention

Also in 2015, Nationwide launched Make Safe Happen to reduce preventable childhood injuries in and around the home. Nationwide Children's is a proud partner with this program. To read more and to download the Make Safe Happen app, click here.

Nationwide, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Safe Kids Worldwide and the American Red Cross are thrilled to be named the 2017 Gold Halo Award Winner in the Best Message-Focused Campaign category. The Halo Awards are North America’s highest honor for corporate social initiatives and cause marketing and presented by Engage for Good. This prestigious CSR and cause marketing award looks at social good campaigns targeted at consumers and/or employees involving a company and cause.

Sports Marketing Sponsorships

The Nationwide Partnership has grown to include monumental events raising millions of dollars for our patients and their families.

The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide has enjoyed a long partnership with the hospital, dating back to the first playing of the Tournament in 1976. Jack and Barbara Nicklaus have been longtime friends of the hospital, and they wanted the Tournament to reflect that heritage. The Tournament has made gifts of more than $12 million to benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and the Memorial Tournament Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is named to honor that generous commitment.

Since 2007, the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship has raised $5.6 million for our patients and families in our Pediatric Cancer Program. We look forward to the future, as tournament officials recently announced that the Web.com Tour event will be extended for another three years through 2018. Central Ohio golf fans will continue to enjoy the tournament’s elevated prominence as The Path to the PGA Tour.

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon has been a true success, raising more than $4.5 million in three years. With more than 18,000 participants flooding the streets of downtown Columbus to run, walk and fundraise for our patients and their families this was another testament to Nationwide and Nationwide Children’s incredible partnership.

With Nationwide, the Nationwide Foundation and Nationwide Children's Hospital, there is no telling what is yet to come. But one thing is for sure; at the heart of it all is helping kids everywhere.

featured video

Watch how the Make Safe Happen App combines science with a mother's perspective.